The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized Nigeria’s two leading parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for beginning discussions on zoning their 2027 presidential tickets more than two years ahead of the general election.
Speaking Tuesday on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi said the early zoning decisions show that both APC and PDP are more focused on power politics than addressing the pressing needs of Nigerians.
“The general election is still two years away,” Abdullahi said.
“Why are we already fixated on zoning and candidates? This behavior signals to Nigerians that the political elite doesn’t care about their problems.”
At its National Executive Council meeting on Monday, the PDP zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, while retaining the party chairmanship in the North.
In May, 22 APC governors and party leaders endorsed President Bola Tinubu, a southerner, as the ruling party’s sole candidate for 2027.
Both parties have cited Nigeria’s informal power rotation arrangement between the North and South to justify their early moves.
But the ADC, now a growing opposition coalition including figures like Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Rotimi Amaechi, sees the early zoning as a political ploy.
“They know the implications of showing their hand this early,” Abdullahi argued. “It either means the outcome is predetermined or they’re maneuvering to attract certain individuals as candidates.”
Abdullahi rejected claims that the ADC coalition is backing a specific individual, noting that several credible figures have indicated interest in running for president on the party’s platform.
“Just yesterday, Atiku Abubakar declared he’s running again. If the coalition was formed solely for him, he wouldn’t need to make such a declaration,” Abdullahi said.
“We also have Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and others, all of whom will be given equal consideration.”
A photo from a July 2 coalition meeting in Abuja showed prominent figures including Obi, Atiku, Rauf Aregbesola, David Mark, and Ralph Nwosu in attendance.
Abdullahi maintained that the ADC isn’t under pressure to zone its 2027 ticket yet and is more focused on building grassroots support and strengthening its internal structure.
“We’re not playing the same game as the APC and PDP. Our priority is convincing Nigerians that we offer a credible alternative to the status quo,” he said.
He added that discussions around zoning would happen at the appropriate time.
“For now, zoning is not on our agenda. The coalition only moved into the ADC two months ago. Our focus is on building structures and mobilising support, not premature politicking.”
Abdullahi concluded by positioning the ADC as Nigeria’s true opposition force: “Right now, there are only two political entities that matter, the ruling APC and the opposition ADC.”
